Reasonable steps to meeting regulations

The EA makes it clear that businesses - called service providers in the Act - have
to make reasonable adjustments to make their services more accessible.

On reasonable adjustments, the EHRC takes the view

When the duty arises, you are under a positive and proactive duty to take steps to remove or prevent these obstacles.

The duty is anticipatory. This means you cannot wait until a disabled person wants to use your services, but must think in advance (and on an ongoing basis)
about what disabled people with a range of impairments might reasonably need, such as people who have a visual impairment,
a hearing impairment, a mobility impairment or a learning disability.

Many of the adjustments you can make will not be particularly expensive, and you are not required to do more than it is reasonable for you to do.
What is reasonable for you to do depends, among other factors, on the size and nature of your organisation and the nature of
the goods, facilities or services you provide.

The "anticipatory" aspect of reasonable adjustments is new in the 2010 Act.

Auditing access measures

It is in the areas of reasonability and flexibility that AccessOK with its on-line
HealthCheck can help businesses achieve the optimum access solution.

Acting now not only avoids problems in the future but gets a head start in promoting
business within a disadvantaged part of the community.

IMPACT ON BUSINESSES OF THE EA

The EA has an impact on all businesses

This equality legislation applies to both large and small businesses and fosters the opportunity to serve disabled and elderly people better.

However, what measures it is reasonable for a business to undertake to comply with the requirements of the EA
have to be addressed responsibly and intelligently.

Tackling discrimination

It's not just a question of altering premises. Giving people access
to your goods or services by telephone or over the Internet may also be a viable and effective way
of meeting the provisions of the EA.